The French Province
Closure of the General Canonical Visitation
The General Canonical Visitation to the French Province of St. John the Baptist was closed on 3 and 4 December, in the presence of the Superior General, Brother Jesús Etayo. The French Province also includes Madagascar. The General Canonical Visitation began on 1 November, the Solemnity of All Saints, and was conducted by the General Councillor, Brother Joaquim Erra Mas.
On 3 December, he had held several meetings with the President of the French St John of God Foundation, Mr. Philippe Girard, the Director General of the Foundation, Dr. Patrick Colombel and the heads of the departments of the Provincial Curia. In the afternoon he had convened a meeting with the Brothers of the Province, including those from Madagascar, when he submitted his final report of the Canonical Visitation, dealing the most important aspects of the Brothers' lives, and explaining his assessments and recommendations for the future. After a dialogue with the Visitor, the Prior General delivered his concluding address encouraging the Brothers to live their Religious consecration with passion and joy.
On the 4th, in addition to the Brothers of the Province, a large number of Co-workers were also present, with officials of the Foundation, the Centres, the Provincial Curia and other associations promoted by and linked to the Province. The Provincial Superior of the Sisters Hospitallers of the Sacred Heart Sister Rosalía Goñi was also present, accompanied by other Hospitaller Sisters, and other Religious Sisters close to the French Province.
Brother Joaquím Erra presented his Final Report on the Mission of the Order in France and Madagascar. After a dialogue with the Visitor, the Strategic Plan of the St John of God Foundation was presented, with a Report on the Bioethics Commission.
The session concluded with the final address of the Superior General, thanking the Province for the mission it was performing through the Foundation and encouraging everyone to continue updating Hospitality, based on the final Document of the last General Chapter and the Message that Pope Francis delivered to the Order through the Capitulars.
The closing ceremony of the General Canonical Visitation ended with the celebration of the Eucharist at which the Archbishop of Paris, Mgr. Michel Aupetit, presided, and in his homily he gratefully highlighted the mission that the Order is performing in France, Madagascar and throughout the world.